Heroic Beach Rescue: Brave Bystander Saves Swimmer from Shark Attack

Quick Smiles:

• A brave bystander leaps into action, saving a swimmer from a bull shark.
• Despite a severe leg injury, the swimmer survives and later thanks her rescuer.
• Gratitude and heroism shine through in a touching reunion.

In a remarkable tale from Australia, a swimmer who faced a terrifying shark encounter lived to express her gratitude to the man who saved her life.

Blake Donaldson was enjoying a day at Gunyah Beach in Bundeena with his partner when he heard a distressing cry from the water.

There, standing amidst a pool of red, was 57-year-old Mangyon Zhang, who had been bitten by a bull shark, known for being one of the most aggressive species.

The shark had taken a significant bite out of Zhang’s leg, leaving her in a state of shock.

“I was so scared. I said, ‘Oh, what’s that?’” Zhang recounted.

“And then I just saw… lots and lots of blood coming out, and the water just became too red and red and red. I was so scared by then.”

With no one else around, Zhang called out to Donaldson for help.

“I just [had] to jump in,” Donaldson said.

“The fight or flight kicks in, and I just made the decision, sure there could be a shark but my reaction was, ‘I just have to save this woman.’”

Donaldson’s quick thinking and bravery brought Zhang back to shore, where his partner, Eileen Melchert, provided crucial first aid.

Paramedics later described the situation as Zhang having lost a “catastrophic amount of blood.”

During the ambulance ride, Zhang drifted in and out of consciousness, reflecting on her loved ones.

Fortunately, the bite was not fatal, and Zhang awoke to find that surgeons had managed to save her leg.

Bull sharks are notorious for their powerful bites, yet the extent of the damage was limited to a 15-inch scar.

After a month of recovery, Zhang and Donaldson met face-to-face, a moment filled with immense gratitude.

Zhang had the chance to thank Donaldson personally, who, despite his modesty, was acknowledged as a hero.

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